Tag Archives: #blogbattle

#BlogBattle: Frog – Week 14 – Catch and Release

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It’s Tuesday again and time for #BlogBattle.  But first I have to take a moment to celebrate the Chicago Blackhawks for winning the Stanley Cup last night in Chicago!!  They have not won the Stanley Cup in Chicago since 1938, but…they have won it 3 times in the past 6 years.  Definitely a winning team for a great city!!  WooHoo!!

Now onto some more fun.  #BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration.  Hosted by the talented Rachael Ritchey.  This weeks word:  Frog

Catch and Release

“Fred….Fred…wake up!!  You have to get up…she took Maddie.”  Frank says urgently.

“Huh?….Whaaaat? Who?  Who took Maddie?”  Fred answers groggily, opening his eyes.

“That lady…the one in the white lab coat…you know the biologist I told you about.”  Frank says hastily.

Half-asleep Fred asks, “Are you sure?”

“Yes!! I’m sure.” Frank contends.

“OK, Frank…now tell me again what is a biologist?”

“There’s no time for that Fred.  Let’s just say if a biologist gets a hold of guys like us, it isn’t pretty.  We must hurry and find Maddie.”  Frank says desperately trying to get Fred to focus and moving.

“So how do you know Maddie was taken?”  Fred asks trying to gather the facts as they turn to leave.

“Phil.  He told us he saw the whole thing.” Frank says nonchalantly.

“Phil.”  Fred says flatly and comes to an abrupt stop.  “I wouldn’t believe a thing Phil says, you know he’s had his beady little eyes on Maddie since the day he got here.”

“Well, he told us where to find her, if she’s not there, then you can accuse him of being a liar.  We must go, come on.” Frank persuades him.

Phyllis is already there, twitching back and forth at the opening of the clearing to the yard.  She can see the glass chamber that is holding Maddie captive.  She doesn’t want Maddie to see her yet, so she stays back and waits for the others.

Frank and Fred approach and come to a screeching halt.  Shocked Fred says, “He was telling the truth.  How did this happen? What was she doing in the yard in the light of day?”

“She hasn’t been herself lately,” Phyllis says quietly.

“Phyllis!!”  Frank says in a scolding voice, and gives her the eye to shut her mouth.

“What?  She hasn’t.” Phyllis says with indignation.  “Ever since that cute little Asian Frog showed up from across the pond, and was all flirty with Freddie here…where he all but forgot his name…she’s been upset.”

“I didn’t forget my name.  Maddie knows I only have eyes for her, that’s nonsense.” Fred says a little too dismissively.  “How was she lured into that contraption?”

Fred somberly says, “Phil was a little hesitant talking about this part, but it was the ol’ fly on a string ruse, he couldn’t seem to bring himself to elaborate on it, all he could do is shake his head, and repeat, such a shame, such a shame.”

“Ugh!!  How did Maddie fall for that?” Fred says trying to contain his anxiety.

“Maybe she’s just hungry Freddie, I mean she’s been starving herself, ever since Little Miss Thing, with all her exoticness, made that snarky comment about Maddie looking like she is with tadpoles, Maddie thinks she looks fat…it’s made her a little self conscious.” Phyllis says vindicating her friend.

Frank cuts his eyes at Phyllis and sarcastically says, “Really Phyllis.”

Phyllis steps back and says, “Alright, alright…I’ll shut up.  But how are we going to get Maddie out of there?  It’s beginning to get dark now.”

“Let’s get closer, we’ll let her know we are here, and try to figure something out.” Fred says, just needing to see her.

* ~ *

Nita gets out of the shower, and gets herself ready for bed.  She prays she will get some sleep tonight.  She cannot continue to function on no sleep and Red Bull much longer.  They say hindsight is 20/20, and they aren’t kidding. Putting in that beautiful pond in the backyard was not such a good idea after all.  Sure it’s peaceful, and mom enjoys some quiet time out there, but she’s on the other side of the house where she doesn’t hear the frogs croaking at night.  All. night. long.  Hopefully her little abduction will do the trick.  Nita slightly cringes abduction is such a strong word, it makes me feel like a criminal…desperate times call for desperate measures…the frog is in a safe place…just away from my window.

Nita smashes her fists into her pillow a few times, slides down into her cool sheets, and pulls the covers to her chin, and wiggles around until she finds a comfortable spot.  Just as she closes her eyes, she hears it.  “No, no, no…not happening.” She whines to no one, almost crying.

She whips the covers off, gets up and slips on her flip-flops and grabs a flashlight.  “That’s it!! This stops tonight.” She says with the fierceness of a bona fide hunter.

She exits the patio doors, and walks across the yard, to the other side of the shed where she has set up her makeshift aquarium.  What’s the big deal, it’s not like I have the little amphibian chained to a brick wall in a dark cellar.  Its got water, some leaves, a little dirt, it should feel like it’s at the spa.

Just as she rounds the corner, she carefully shines her flashlight in the direction of the croaking.  What she sees, stops her in her tracks.  Two frogs are sitting quietly on the grass in front of the glass case leaning their heads together.  A third frog has its hands up against the glass, resting its head and sadly looking in at the frog inside.  This is the one that is doing all the croaking.  All the other frogs are quiet.  The frog inside the container has one of its hands resting on the glass against the other frog’s hand.

Nita raises her hand to her mouth in awe.  “Awww…the frog’s little friends must really miss it.  This is so cute.” She says quietly as she cautiously approaches.

The three frogs look at her as she approaches.  One of the two starts croaking to the other one.

“OK, let’s quiet down, let’s see what she wants, I’m fluent in homo sapien.” Says Frank with his usual bravado.

Phyllis looks at him with an alluring smile and a look of newfound admiration.

“Ok….ok.  I’ll let your little friend go.  What do I know about frogs, I’m just a cosmetologist…a tired one at that.  I’m the one disturbing your home, I just wish you could be a little more quiet at night so I could get some sleep.”  Nita gently lifts the frog out of the container and sets it down next to the other frogs.

“I’ll just have to figure something else out…go on…enjoy your night.” She says as she brushes her hands against her pants and stands up to go back in the house.

As the four frogs begin to jump away, one of them stops and turns to her and looks right at her and nods its head and gives one last croak before he joins the others.

Nita just looks right back at him and laughs a little and says, “Nah…he couldn’t have understood what I was saying.”  Shaking her head she turns and heads back into the house.

 

© 2015 Carrie Ann

#BlogBattle Week 13 – Rope: It Can Only Get Better

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Happy Tuesday!!  Here’s my contribution to #BlogBattle.

#BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration.  Hosted by Rachael Ritchey.

 

It Can Only Get Better

Kate enters her apartment with a stack of mail.  She flips through the envelopes, letting them pile up on her desk to sort through later.  But the last envelope gives her pause, “Discover Card?” she says to herself. “I don’t have a Discover Card,” literally talking to herself.  She drops it on the pile with the others in exasperation.  This time she cries to the heavens, “How much more? I’m at the end of my rope here…barley hanging on by a thread!!”

As she gets ready for work, she thinks to herself, my life wasn’t supposed to be this way.  She fell in love, married young, started a family and was content to live her happily ever after.  How was she to know that her Prince Charming was really just a frog, with a wandering eye, and a compulsion for spending?  Oh, she knew…she saw the signs, but chose to ignore them.  What she didn’t see coming was him up and leaving her, just walking away, leaving her, the kids and a huge amount of debt.  She lets out a sigh, and says, “No time to dwell on the past, it has to get better.”  She laughs to herself and thinks she really needs to stop talking to herself.

It was super busy in the restaurant, she has no idea how many people she served during her shift, smiling and making small talk, but it helps pass the time quickly.  As she finishes up, she walks over to collect her tips, and several of the other servers are all crowded around her manager, Michelle, having a rather animated conversation. “What’s going on?” Kate asks as she approaches.

Michelle replies, “You might want to sit down for this.”

“Sit down for what?” She asks looking from Michelle to the other servers.

Michelle slowly says, “Someone left you a thousand dollar tip.”

“Yeah right.” Kate snickers.

“It’s true.”  Michelle contends as she hands Kate the receipt.  Next to the tip line, printed in neat handwriting she reads aloud, “Thank you.  Keep smiling, it brightened my day.”

Whoops and squeals sound from the small group.  Then the speculation begins of who could of left such a tip, and if it is indeed a secret admirer.

“It doesn’t matter who left it, I’m not looking for a man…I’m tired, and I’m going home.  Good night ladies.” Kate says cheerfully as she leaves.

* ~ *

Edward’s sister calls to see if he wants to go out to dinner.  “Sure, why not.” He replies.  He disconnects the call and thinks to himself, it’s a Friday night, and I’m having dinner with my sister.  This isn’t how his life was supposed to be.  But he can’t blame anyone but himself.  Why would his wife stick around when he was working all the time, and never home.  Ha!! A beautiful home only afforded by his hard work and long hours.  Once the kids were off to college, she decided to travel Europe, to find herself, to eat, pray and love…whatever that means.  He shakes his head, as if to clear this unproductive introspection.

The evening is enjoyable with his sister; the food is delicious as always.  What was especially intriguing to Edward was his server.  She introduces herself as Kate.  She has the most beautiful ocean blue eyes, that sparkle when she smiles.  His sister engages her in small talk, finding out she has a son in college and a daughter heading there in the fall.  Edward got the sense that she was the type of person that put everyone’s needs before her own.  He notices no wedding ring.

At the end of the meal Edward insists on paying, even though this obviously offends his sister, but he doesn’t care.  He waits in line to pay the check, and catches a glimpse of Kate, as she laughs and chats with the other servers.  Not an impulsive guy by nature, when it’s his turn to pay his check, he fills in the tip section with a generous amount and adds a note.  He realizes it’s been a long time since he has been attracted to a woman, and it really didn’t matter if anything came out of this.  She deserves a nice surprise; besides, he knew what it took to put kids through college.  It’s time he used his success for some good.

* ~ *

Sunday afternoon, Kate heads over to her friend’s house for a barbecue.  There was no getting out of it, Tori doesn’t take no for an answer.  She walks up to the beautiful house with the meticulous lawn, and heads towards the backyard where she can hear music playing.  Tori spots her right away and rushes over and gives her a big hug, talking a mile a minute, “Kate!! So glad you could make it.  Food is over there, drinks are over there.  Lisa is here too, she is saving a spot for you at her table over there.  I’ll catch up with you later, there’s someone I want to introduce you to.”  Ugh, she’s playing matchmaker again.

The food is delicious, and Kate enjoys catching up with Lisa. Tori comes over, and grabs Kate by the arm.  “Come with me, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

We walk up to a handsome man, who is dressed like he just stepped out of Tommy Bahama catalogue, looks to be a few years older than Kate. Tori says, “Edward Lewis this is Kate Foster, my dear friend I was telling you about.”  She says to Kate,  “Edward is good friends with the hubby.  You two enjoy yourself, I need to check on the food.” She quickly disappears with a dramatic flourish of her hand and a “Ta-Ta.”

“Is it me, or do you feel like this was a complete set up?” Edward says conspiratorially.

“I agree totally.  She feels it’s her duty…helping the single friend,” Kate admits with a laugh.

“Yes, I know what you mean, same here.” Trying to diminish the awkwardness Edward says,  “Well…I was heading over to see their solarium, it’s actually roped off to the other guests, but Tori’s hubby told me to go check it out,” He smiles and shrugs his shoulders playfully saying, “What…I know a guy. Come join me.”

Laughing at his silly attempt to impress her, Kate says, “Sure, how could I possibly resist.”

As she turns to walk towards the solarium, he gently puts his hand on the small of her back to guide her through the crowd.  She tries to hide the affect that simple gesture has on her.

Once in the solarium they find a bench, sit down and continue to talk.  The conversation flows easily between them.  Kate finds herself genuinely having a good time, it’s been so long since she has felt like this.

Edward interrupts her musings saying, “I have really enjoyed your company, Kate, I hope we can get together again.  We can take it one day at a time, no expectations.  I would much rather go out to dinner with you than my sister.” He quietly laughs.

“That sounds like something I’d be interested in,” she casually says as she flashes him one of her smiles.

He briefly closes his eyes and slightly shakes his head and says, “You are truly beautiful Kate, and that smile of yours, it just brightens my day.”

Her heart almost stops, barely getting the words out she says, “What did you just say?”

He looks at her intently, answering the question she didn’t ask, “Yes, Kate.  Your smile brightens my day.” With a knowing smile, he gives her a wink as he takes her hand.

 

© 2015 Carrie Ann

#BlogBattle News – Week 11: When Lightning Strikes

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It’s Tuesday, and that means #BlogBattle time!!

#BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration.  Hosted by Rachael Ritchey.

radiating lightning

When Lightning Strikes

I enter the restaurant and find that Taylor is already there, she waves me over, we hug and I take my seat. “Good to see you Taylor.” I squeeze her shoulders before I sit down.

“It’s been awhile Andy, glad we can finally connect.  How was your trip?” She asks.

I give her the highlights of the trip, and finish by telling her how my flight back home was delayed, and what a hassle that was.

“Yep, it’s Mercury Retrograde” she says nodding her head knowingly.

“It’s what?” I question, not sure I heard her correctly.

“Mercury Retrograde, it happens several times a year, and lasts for a couple of weeks.”  She went on to explain, “Mercury rules communication, travel, contracts and clear thinking.  When it goes retrograde, it looks like it’s going backwards in the sky, but it’s not, so all those things get all discombobulated during this time.  Oh…and Mercury also rules a lot of industries like, writing, publishing, editing, advertising, sales, and anything to do with transportation, so there’s your reason for you delay, because we are smack dab in the middle of it, and it won’t be over for another couple of weeks.”

“Great, just great.  You do remember I’m a blogger, I’ve never heard of such a thing, why hasn’t it affected me before?” I ask trying to understand.

“It probably has, you just didn’t know it, and just blamed it on whatever.  You’ll see, the weird things that will start happening will start making sense to you now.  And yes, you are a blogger, research it.”  She says with a wink and a smile, and continues.

“Oh and Mercury also rules anything that begins with “re”.  So it’s a good time to redo things, reassess, refinance, redesign, reorganize, like some closets.”  She rattles the list off as she waves her hand back and forth, but then she stops and holds it up saying, “But just don’t sign any contracts or enter into anything new, that’s not good,” she says shaking her head.

We finish our dinner and part ways.  I go back to my apartment, even though I’m feeling a little jet lagged, I don’t go straight to bed.  I decide to research this Mercury Retrograde thing to see if what Taylor told me had any merit.  Got to love her, with her passion for yoga and her big compassionate heart for saving the earth.

The last thing I remember is picking up my phone, to set my morning alarm, when all of a sudden lightning splits the sky, and thunder rumbles through my apartment and everything goes black.

The sound of the phone ringing awakes me.  I mean a phone, actually ringing, like I remembered from back in the 80’s not my usual ACDC Back in Black ring tone.  My eyes adjust to my surroundings, and I see the huge phone sitting on the desk and instinctively I answer it with my usual greeting, “Sullivan.”

“New kid, you the temp? My office right now, got a job for ya,” the voice barks from the receiver.

“Yes sir.” I respond.

I rub my hand down my face and try to figure out where I am, and who’s office I need to find.  My mind is telling me that in almost the blink of an eye I went from being a blogger in 2015 to a news reporter in the 80s.  I am definitely in a news office, just like I’ve seen in the movies.  I find the editor’s office and walk in.  There is someone else sitting there, and I definitely recognize him, it’s my Uncle Jack, he’s the reason I went into journalism.

“So kid, here’s the deal, we have to revise our top story.  The Mayor has retracted his original statement on the issue since the whole crisis has been rectified.  The whole article doesn’t have to be rewritten, but Jack here will show you what needs to be done, to  have it resolved in no time.”

That seemed like a whole bunch of “re” in what he just said, or basically a big redo.  Just like Taylor said, and what my research confirmed, oy.

Jack holds out his hand to introduce himself, “Jack Sullivan.”

I firmly grip his hand, and respond “Andrew Ssuu…Sutton, nice to meet you.”

This ought to be interesting, seeing my uncle’s younger self in his element.

We get everything done, and end up at a diner.  This has been one crazy busy day.  I have to come clean and tell my uncle who I really am, and that I’m actually from the future.  I can only imagine what his take on all this will be.

“Good work today kid.  You remind me of myself when I was your age.  You look kind of familiar too.” He eyes me a little suspiciously.

“Yeah, about that, I need to explain something to you.  My name is actually Andrew Sullivan…uh junior, I’m your nephew.”  I allow that to register before I explain further.

“You’re telling me, you’re Andrew’s son?  Andrew isn’t married, he’s not that much older than you, and I know he doesn’t have a kid.” He says pointing at me with his fork to get his points across.

“Uh…I’m actually from the future.  I know it sounds crazy.”  Holding up my hands I say, “Let me ask you this, what do you know about Mercury Retrograde?”

He looks at me with a blank stare, “I’m in publishing, it’s been rumored that it does exist, and I know that we are smack dab in the middle of it as we speak.  I’ve never heard of anyone experiencing time travel though.” He says sounding interested for further explanation.

“Well the world is a different place.  The technological advances are something you can’t even comprehend.  Oh, and Uncle Jack, publishing as you know it, will be completely different, newspapers are almost non-existent.” I say with reverent disappointment.

“You’re crazy.  I can’t see how people would give up their newspapers, people like to read the news, not just watch it on the television.” Not wanting to believe such a thing.

“I wish I were.  There are other jobs out there though, like me for example, I’m a blogger.” Trying to explain myself.

“What? Where’s the red flannel shirt? You don’t look like a lumberjack, and what does that have to do with publishing?”

My uncle is well educated, I know he’s just messing with me, and I know he believes time travel is possible, we’ve talked about it. A lot.  Still, this might be more difficult than I thought it would be.  “Never mind, let’s just say that I am a writer, but not for a newspaper.  I don’t know how to even explain it or compare it to anything.” I say sounding a little discouraged.

How do I explain what a blog is?  Shoot, come to think of it, I’m drawing a blank of what blog actually stands for, is it an acronym for something?  Ugh…curse you Mercury Retrograde!!

I try one more time to explain, “Let’s just say, computers progress by leaps and bounds in the future, so much so that we can hold them in the palm of our hands.  But before I go, I want to leave you with this nugget.  If you remember anything from our conversation tonight, just remember one simple word for me, you might want to write it down, the word is Google.”

“Goo – What?”  He says as he pulls out his notebook and pencil.

“Google.” I say and then spell it for him.  “If you ever play the stock market, that’s one name you’ll want to remember.”

He shakes his head, with a resolve that what I just told him was gospel.

“I’m heading home before I get caught in the rain.  Nice working with you Uncle Jack.  If I don’t see you again tomorrow, you’ll know that I’ve made my way back home…I mean home as in my true home in 2015.”

As I’m about to leave, Uncle Jack calls out, “Hey kiddo, see you in the future.”  He salutes me with a smile.

I make it back to my apartment.  It is basically the same, except it is void of all my gadgets.  As I look around I see something sticking out from under the bed, I reach down to get a closer look, it’s my phone!  I try to turn it on just to see if it will work, and at that moment, there’s a flash of lightning followed by a roaring clap of thunder, and everything goes black.

My phone awakes me, blaring my familiar Back in Black.  I answer it groggily.  “Sullivan”

“Hey kiddo, you still asleep?  How was your trip? Must be nice to have those cushy blogger hours.  Just think if you had become a lumberjack like I always thought you’d be.”  He laughs into the phone.  “Never mind that, I was wondering if you’d like to come over and help with my deck, I’ve redesigned the whole layout of my yard.” He says enthusiastically.

“You’re redesigning things?  Uh…no thanks I think I’ll pass.  I definitely need some sleep.”

 

© 2015 Carrie Ann

#BlogBattle Loop Week 10: A Day in the Loop

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blogbattle-award-1Happy Tuesday, it’s #BlogBattle time!! Hop on over to Writing Rachael Ritchey to read some of the other stories.

#BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration.  Hosted by Rachael Ritchey.

A Day in the Loop

cloud-gate_C

It’s a beautiful summer day, a perfect day to spend in the Loop.  It’s only a short train ride for us from Indiana, so we do it often.  It’s what we do this time every year, it’s Jillian’s birthday, and her and I spend it every year in her favorite place, downtown Chicago.  We spend most of the day at the Art Institute; her and I both love the architecture and all the stairs in the museum.  We just get lost in all the beauty of it.  But our final stop is the stunning A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat, taking in each detail.  Even though we have spent more hours than we can count just staring at this painting, we still find it fascinating.  For fun we have named every person and pet in it, and refer to them like they are old friends.

“So, do you think Jacques has introduced himself to Juliet yet?” Jillian asks me quietly.

“Juliet is not his type.”  We hadn’t noticed the two guys that came up beside us, this from the one standing next to Jillian.

“Oh really?  So who is his type?”  Jillian plays along.

“The hottie in the bikini,” he wiggles his eyebrows up and down, smiles and holds out his hand, “Hi, I’m Aaron and you are?”

Jillian says without hesitation,  “Leaving.”  She takes me by the arm and we walk away.  But before we get to the doorway, she turns around and playfully says, “By the way, I’m the Birthday Girl, and we are heading over to Giordano’s.  Since you obviously don’t appreciate art, I’m sure a guy like you can appreciate really good pizza.”  She gives him a wink and we leave.

On our short walk, we giggle like schoolgirls, talking about how cute they are.  They of course find us, sit down at our table and we place our order.  They properly introduce themselves as Aaron and Aidan Anderson, fraternal twins from Minnesota, here for an extended weekend visiting relatives.

I reply, “Nice to meet you, I’m Stephanie and this is my younger sister Jillian.  Actually, my mom calls us Irish Twins, we’re only 11 months apart, me being the oldest.”

We talk about our families, our hometowns, work and all kinds of things.  The conversation flows easily between the four of us, like we were old friends.  After I don’t know how many slices, Aaron declares, “This is the best. Pizza. Ever!!”

Aidan looks at his brother, shakes his head then smiles at me and asks, “So why do they call this area the Loop?”

I point my thumb over to Jillian, “Ask her, she loves it here and knows everything about it.”

Jillian smiles brightly excited to share her knowledge, “Well Aidan, you see most people think it comes from the “L” trains…”L” standing for elevated trains, which do actually form a loop around the downtown area.  But the name is actually from back in the 1800s.  It was the route of the streetcars that served the Chicago area that formed a loop.”

“Interesting, it’s a great city.” He sincerely says.

Aaron agrees, “It is.  After this we want to check out the Ledge in the Sky Deck of the Willis Tower, you should join us.”

Jillian rests her elbow on the table with a talk-to-the-hand gesture towards Aaron, and turns to me and says, “What did he just say?” in mock horror.

“Here we go” I say rolling my eyes.

“What?” Aaron asks confused, hoping he didn’t offend us.

Jillian puts her hand up further, makes a noise to silence him without turning her attention away from me.

I flatly reply, “You heard what he said.”

“Yes, but I don’t think I heard him correctly, Steph.” She argues.

Aidan and Aaron just look at each other utterly confused.

I try to calm her, saying,  “Give him a break Jilly…they are from out of town.”

Addressing Aidan and Aaron I try to explain, “Uh…Jillian has a little problem with it being called the Willis Tower.  Even though in 2009, Willis Group Holdings obtained the building’s naming rights.  We have always known it as the Sears Tower, and she fondly continues to call it that.”

As they all look at me blankly, I shrug saying, “I know a few things too.”

Jillian says,  “You’re right Steph, I am sorry for my rudeness,” she says to them sincerely.

“It’s just a thing for me, I know they earned the rights to name it, but still…it will always be the Sears Tower to me.  And yes, we would love to go with you to the Sky deck of the Sears Tower.  We were planning on that as our next stop.  After that, we will show you guys the Bean.

“What’s the Bean?” Aidan questions.

I reply with a smile,  “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

By the time we make it to the Bean, we all have had a great time, not wanting it to end.  It’s then that Aaron asks Jillian for her phone number so that they can keep in touch.  I see the quick look on her face, but only I know what it means, or notice it, she smiles and says playfully, “My dear Aaron, that would be too easy now wouldn’t it.  Here is what I propose.  We take a picture of all of us in front of the Bean, and we agree to meet back at the same place in the museum where we first met, the same time next year.  You know, you could just be reacting to the euphoria you are feeling from having the best. Pizza. Ever.  Let’s leave some things up to fate and destiny.”  She nudges him with her hip and gives him a wink.

I could tell that Aaron wanted to argue, but not many people could resist my sister’s beautiful smile when it makes her blue eyes sparkle even more.

Aidan then looks at me and asks, “Are we leaving things up to fate and destiny as well?”

“Sadly, yes.  The Birthday Girl has spoken,” I say as I look into his eyes a little more intently willing him to understand.

Before we say our good-byes, Jillian happens to look down and spots a penny on the ground, and enthusiastically picks it up saying, “Oh look a shiny new penny!!”  Smiling like she just found a million dollars, she puts it in her pocket.

We all just look at her amused, and she says, “What?  Some people say pennies are from heaven.”  That’s what I love about my sister, that she truly believes in all that kind of stuff.

Reluctantly we part ways with the cute guys from Minnesota with lingering hugs, and promises of “same time next year.”

Her and I walk silently back to the train.  Just as we are about to get on, I put my arm around her and ask, “Are you OK.”

She replies quietly,  “I will be, it had to be done that way.”

“I know Jilly…I know,” as I tighten my arm around her shoulders and lean my head against hers.

“Thanks Steph for a great birthday.  I think it was one of the best.” She says with a smile.

“Only the best for my lil’ sis.” I reply as we board the train to go home.

~ ~

It’s the same beautiful summer day, a perfect day to spend in the Loop.  I sit in front of the painting like I have done so many times before, but it’s not the same, as a lone tear escapes down my cheek, I miss her so much.

“Stephanie?” Aidan says as he walks up from behind me.

“Aidan, you’re here.  Where’s Aaron?”  I say looking behind him, searching.

Aidan looks at me with a look I see in the mirror, a look I feel every day, he says in a tremulous whisper, “He’s gone Steph.”

“Aidan, no!!”  I reach out to hug him, “Jillian’s gone too.”

“I know” he says.

“How” I reply with a questioning look.

“Jillian found me and contacted me and explained everything, I am so sorry for your loss Stephanie.  She asked me to be here for you, she didn’t want you to be alone.  She said that you were so strong and always there for her during all her treatments.  She wanted to be sure that you wouldn’t be alone, she knew that you would need someone to lean on.  What she didn’t know is that I would need you just as much.  She had sent a letter to Aaron, wanting to say goodbye to him in a more personal way than just sending an email.  I was never able to give it to him.  I received it the same day he was involved in a fatal car accident.”

“I am so sorry Aidan.  Thank you for being here.” So grateful he was.

“I just wish we were all here together.” His grief palpable.

“I’d like to think they are together…just not here with us.”

“So” Aidan said trying to lighten up the mood, “Let’s do all the things we’d do if they were here, like visiting the Sears Tower, and the Bean…

“And eating the best. Pizza. Ever.  I interrupt with a smile.

By the time we make it to the Bean, we decide to take another picture, make plans to stay in touch, and make this our yearly celebration.  As Aidan takes my hand to walk me to the train, I look down and there in front of us are two shiny new pennies.  I pick them up and hold them in the palm of my hand.  I look up at Aidan and say, “I was wrong, they are here with us.”

He smiles and says in amazement, “Pennies from heaven.” I put one in his hand, he kisses my forehead, and we walk away hand in hand.

 

Photo credit: http://www.chicagotraveler.com/cloud-gate-chicago

© 2015 Carrie Ann

#BlogBattle Madness Week 8: Don’t Feed the Animals

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It’s Tuesday, and that means #BlogBattle time!!  Wasn’t sure that I could get anything together this week, the prompt has been bouncing around my head all week, this is what I came up with.

#BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration.  Hosted by Rachael Ritchey.

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Don’t Feed the Animals

My teen-age daughter was just finishing up the dishes, when she says, “Mom, Mom!! Look at the cute bunny in the yard!!” Squealing like she was seven.

“Oh…he is cute.” I say, since I share her affection for cute, furry things.

“Can I feed him some lettuce?” she asks heading towards the fridge.

“Sure, go ahead.” I say appreciating her compassion.

The next morning I’m in the kitchen getting my much needed morning cup of coffee, like I do every morning.  While sipping my warm elixir, I start opening the blinds on the windows to let the sun shine in.  But this morning, I almost drop my precious brew.  I cannot believe my eyes.  Am I still sleeping?  No, can’t be, my coffee is nearly gone. I call for my daughter to help make sense of what I am seeing.  “Evie!!  Come down here please.” Trying not to sound frantic.

“What is it mom?” she casually says, as she continues to look at her phone.

Barely a whisper I say, “Look”

I point out the window, my mouth open wide.  There are rabbits, all over the yard.  They are in my garden, all over the grass, on the swing, sitting on the edge of the bird bath, and even some laying as if they are relaxing on the patio furniture.  It is literally wall to wall rabbit fur.  Some are eating grass, some are chasing each other, it’s a quiet chaos since rabbits don’t make noise, but nonetheless it is sheer madness.  There are so many, they are on top of each other.

Evie hardly containing her excitement says, “Mom!!  Look at ‘em!!  Look at ‘em!!  Where did they all come from?”

“I have no idea, I have never seen anything like this.  We have to do something.”

“First I have to get a picture of this!!  No one is going to believe it.” she heads for the door.

“You’re going out there?” I say hoping she will change her mind.

“Yes, of course.  They’re rabbits, MOM…not rabid squirrels.” She replies in her what-could-possibly-go-wrong voice.

She walks out the back door, and walks into the yard.  A path is cleared miraculously as if she were Moses parting the Red Sea.  But as she slowly moves, the most amazing thing happens, the rabbits are looking up at her, and have calmed down.  The only thing moving are their little noses.  Well…and the two in the back of the yard still grappling with each other, oblivious to the other rabbits around them until it seems the one rabbit next to them gives them a nudge to knock it off, and they immediately also stand at attention.  This is insane.

“Mom, are you seeing this?” She says, as I can hear her from the open window.

Then two rabbits make their way through the sea of fur and approach her.  She slightly bends resting her hands on her knees, and looks down at them intently and begins nodding her head saying, ‘Yes.  Ok.  Sure, I understand.  I’ll see what I can do.”

The two rabbits that approached her seem very animated, their noses furiously twitching, sometimes raising up on their hind legs, and then back down, Their tiny heads moving back and forth as if they are talking to each other, and to my daughter.  Which I know is not possible.

My daughter comes back in the house and says, “Mom, you won’t believe this, but they were talking to me.”

“Evie.  If those rabbits were talking to you, then I’m the Queen of England.” Playing along with her little charade.

“Well, with all due respect your Highness, I have to help them.” She says flatly.

Not abiding by her snarkiness, I reprimand, “Evie!!”  But I see the honest, pleading look in her eyes, and know that she is serious.  I’m starting to think there was something else in my coffee this morning.

“Ok, ok.  Do what you have to do, as long as they don’t stay here…” under my breath I say, “and none of them die.” I shudder at the thought.

“Thanks mom!!” She hugs me before she heads out the door.

The next evening, everything is back to normal, all the rabbits found a new home, Evie is finishing up the dishes.  She looks out the window and says, “Mom, Mom!!  Look at the cute little Gopher in the yard!!”

“EEE – VIE!!”  Is all I can say as I leave the room, carrying my glass of wine.

The events depicted in this story are fictitious.  Any similarity to any person/animal living or dead is merely coincidental…and a little embellished.  There may or may not have been five rabbits in our yard after we fed one the other day…just sayin’. 😉

 

© 2015 Carrie Ann